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COLUMBUS, Ohio /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Children's Trust Fund (OCTF) and the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) are partnering to increase awareness and provide safe sleep education to parents and caregivers throughout Ohio by joint participation in SIDS Awareness Month this October.

"The OCTF is excited to once again participate in SIDS Awareness Month and to continue partnering with the Ohio AAP to provide safe sleep education and resources to pediatricians, parents and caregivers," explained Lindsay Williams, Executive Director, Ohio Children's Trust Fund. "Many tragic deaths from unsafe sleeping practices are completely preventable and it is essential that we do everything that we can to prevent SIDS. Working together, we can ensure that parents, caregivers, and others who come into contact with infants receive a consistent message about safe sleeping practices that will help to reduce Ohio's infant mortality rate."

Some important safe sleep recommendations include:

Share the room, not the bed – most infant sleep related deaths occur when sharing a sleep surface, like a bed, couch, or chair

Avoid smoke exposure – smoking during pregnancy or near an infant increases the risks of SIDS

Practice the ABC's for every sleep – at nighttime and naptime, babies should sleep Alone, on the Back, in a Crib without blankets, pillows, or toys

"Sudden Infant Death is a tragedy that still happens far too often in Ohio. We are grateful for the support of the OCTF, which will allow us to continue working to raise awareness and provide education that will help reduce the infant mortality rate in Ohio," said Melissa Wervey Arnold, Chief Executive Officer, Ohio AAP.

October was designated as SIDS Awareness Month by the Ohio General Assembly in 2014. The Ohio AAP and OCTF have participated each year since the designation. For more information about Ohio AAP's safe sleep initiatives, visit: www.ohioaap.org/safesleep

The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) promotes the health, safety and well-being of children and adolescents so they may reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ohioaap.org.

The Ohio Children's Trust Fund is the state's sole public funding source dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect. Housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund works with its partners in every county to serve all Ohio communities.